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B ionian augmented scale on guitar
B ionian augmented contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 7 for a compact augmented shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B ionian augmented scale on guitar?
B ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯♯ on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, F♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, F♯♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 10 | E, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 12 | E, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B ionian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12 | D♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the fifth of B major from F♯ to F♯♯ and you get B ionian augmented. The scale keeps the major third and major seventh while the sharp five creates a whole-and-a-half step between E and F♯♯. Compare it with B major to hear that single altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over B augmented or B augmented major 7th. The sharp five also fits dominant-function passages in B major. Try it in jazz or fusion lines where the augmented colour is explicit.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 6, fret 7 and covers frets 0–3, making it easy to connect to open-position B major shapes.
Common questions
Which notes are in B ionian augmented?
The notes are B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯♯, G♯, and A♯. The raised fifth is F♯♯. The scale has a major third and major seventh.
What chords fit B ionian augmented?
The tonic chord is B augmented or B augmented major 7th. You can also use it over B major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.
How does B ionian augmented differ from B major?
Only the fifth degree changes: F♯ becomes F♯♯. The rest of the scale is identical to B major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.